heysusy

A Dream You Dream Together

Last night, my boyfriend attended a Japan benefit concert at le Poisson Rouge here in NYC, featuring a bunch of his favorite artists. It started late, and I stayed home, and went to bed. He came in quite late and said it was great.

He slept in this morning, and I went off to the gym. When I got back, he was awake and having some coffee, and I asked him to tell me about the show. He went through the lineup, and said that Cibo Matto, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed showed up and were incredible. So was Antony of Antony and the Johnsons. Sean Lennon was there and Yoko Ono performed with the Plastic Ono Band.

It sounded pretty amazing and we talked for a while about the various artists and the mood that was created among the audience, which was of all ages.

After he was done describing the evening, he jumped up from the couch and said "Oh! I forgot! Yoko gave us a souvenir!" and went over to his bag. He brought out a little pouch containing this "piece of sky" and a message.

I thought this was pretty powerful - not just to have something from an evening of so many greats -- but the idea that the people attending were given a souvenir is quite sweet. I have always loved the idea of people dreaming togther - the idea of a double dream... I also like the message.... I love you!  at the end...it's funny how those words can be so hard to say, but once they come out, there they are. I thought you might enjoy it.

ps - a cool thing about the little puzzle pieces is that they seem to have a specially shaped notch in the top that makes them easy to hold with your fingertips.

pps. I love you!

The Latest { Carven }

 

I'm going to come right out and say that Carven is going to be the next Tucker...

Even though Carven has been around since the 1940's (so the analogy isn't quite accurate), I'm making this statement because of something special I see in their clothes, something that I think the market will be particularly receptive to. There is a desirable quality and an excellence to everything about these clothes, which reminds me of when I first saw Gaby Basora's clothes. And the S/S collection is so well selected, versatile, simple, strong, sophisticated, and yet...so irrisistably feminine.

I also love that these clothes would look great on.  They would be fresh on a young girl, AND chic on an older woman. That is really hard to achieve. I also love that this model below is wearing stockings. I'm 35 and think it's about time to abandon the bare leg for something more forgiving.

Are you with me?

Much more at their site, plus a video with their A/W 2011 collection here (defintley read their history.)
Shots of Separates - (These are THE shoes) from S/S 2011 here

Monday

Holla!

Just sharing a few sketches from the weekend. I am really loving the pattern with the sketchy black lines up here. I hope to explore that design idea further. I'm having a great time lately, soaking up tons of inspirations from all over the place, and cranking out surface design and textile inspired sketches. Just getting the ideas out is the important thing, right now.

The National Stationery Show is quickly approaching and I am getting excited...It has taken me three years to figure out how to plan for a trade show, and now I have it down pat, so... no stress! Just looking forward to the fun. This year, I did create a trade show schedule, so everything is pretty much under control. I'm really looking forward to launching some of my new products and showing off some new directions.

Enjoy your Mondays all.

 

 

WEEKENDER

While weekends are by their nature, all quite wonderful, I hope mine is like the rocking chair. Relaxed, rambling, dreamy, comfortable, yet stylish...a real classic!

What kind of chair will your weekend be like?

I hope whatever it's like, it's very YOU.

More about Thonet and his four legged friends here.

xx S

Folk Art-ifact

I walked the NYIGF for a day with a few friends, and while I was there, we visited Odette's booth. I was instantly taken by designer Jennifer Sarkilahti's soon-to-be launched collection called "Minerva Divinus". The necklace in the top photo is part of it. 

I really love the textures she's using... they remind me of woodblock printing and linocut (see below), and defnitely give this entire line an artifact-y look, a great contrast of glowing metal with the brooding texture of a dark, folk art print... So very thoughtful, conveying a unique idea, using larger, thoughtful shapes and symbolic cutouts, and combining them with a really unique texture, to great effect. Just love the powerful mood coming through.

More on the Minerva Divinus series by Odette NY here
Woodcut Texture Example found here- from a piece by Lauren Bakoian.

ps. I forgot to mention that I think I see a little owl face hiding in the pendant up there - which is really cool because the owl was Minerva's (Athena's) symbol. More about Minerva here - really cool!

Ikat Purses in a Stack

I feel like something is missing.

Do you ever get that feeling...that feeling like there are not enough Ikat bags in the world to satisfy you? I do lately, often. While I like each of these, none are  EXACTLY what I'd buy for myself. There are so many more decor options for Ikat out there, and not enough Ikats to wear and carry.

Don't make me start carrying an Ikat pillowcase with my stuff in it. Because I will.

Top on down: Mat and Nat, Swell, Upstyle, Swell again, Mat and Nat again

ps. if you have a good source for Ikat totes, please let me know I would love to hear it!

The Perfect Pair { overalls }

BEHOLD!

The perfect pair of overalls for spring!

Ahem...(regaining composure, checking vital signs)...one thing I really love about these is their simple shape -- really perfect for someone with a little less in the...ehhh, top department...like yours truly. Despite the extreme straight cut, I think if worn at the right size - not too tight - these could be just divinely, casually sexy-meets-comfy. I also like that these are elongating.

Below, a few things I would recommend pairing with them. Nothing too over the top because overalls are over the top in and of themselves. Pardon the pun. Basically, the key is to avoid looking like Blossom.

I love the idea of styling these really low key, comfortable, easy...a loose tank and perhaps a classic scarf to hold your hair back...Then add healthy skin and a HUGE, fitted metal cuff to give it some edge! Feel free to recommend what kind of bag you think would go best...b/c in that area, I am stumped.

APC Denim Overalls HERE
Sandal meets Shoe- I like that these are more protected in the heel, b/c I walk a lot. HERE
Tank by one of my faves HERE
Scarf HERE, actually... I like that this has the look, but it's logo-free.
and last but not least cuff: HERE

Monday Inspire { Hots for Orange }

A few treats from le weekend, noticing a lot of cute coral stuff around the city lately. But my preference is for an edgier, hotter, red orange, bordering on safety orange.

When I was born, my dad brought my mom an orange cotton duffel bag with an orange velour robe and orange slippers to match...kind of a get-home from the hospital goody bag. I have a feeling they carried me home in the orange duffel, because I've always had a familial attraction to the color.

I love the way it looks in simpler styles. Since mandarin orange / red orange can be so agressive, I think it makes the most impact with an effortless style surrounding it. I've tried to choose items up here to reflect that.

Clockwise from top left: Innovative Cake Design, Tom's, Gorgeous Tableau via this blog - which I think you will LOVE, Dress - I stopped in at Alice & Olivia in Bryant Park this weekend - love their clothes.  Baseball Shirt here, Something new to try, below. Let me know what you think. xx S

 

WEEKENDER

 

Hello Hello. So, my new camera arrived on Wednesday and I've been slowly learning how to use it. Which basically involves pressing buttons spastically and snapping away. I mentioned before that I was hoping to share more of my process, life and work via this blog, so I suppose today is a casual beginning to that. : )

The other day, a fellow business owner who many of you probably know said something interesting. To paraphrase, she said "I have been in business for 3 years...but I feel like I've been in business SCHOOL for 3 years." It really hit home with me.

Behind the scenes, I've been taking stock of the past three years over which I've created my business-- what have I been doing and where am I now? Where do I want to go? Creatively, what new things do I have to give? It's exciting!

I know I shared some new pattern directions as jpgs a few weeks ago here, but to me they have more to say when they are actually printed. So, I'm sharing them again. Some things just look better once they're put into action, made real, and shared.

Have a great weekend, all! I fully intend to. xx S

Found { perfect vintage boots }

 
Disclaimer: Before I tell you where I found these, I need to tell you that there is only one pair, so don't get too excited. If I wasn't resigned to the fact that my feet have grown to a size 9 recently, and I can no longer squeeze into an 8.5 they would be mine.

I just thought they were so beautiful and they have conjured all sorts of style ideas in my head...

Perhaps I could have a pair made. ...or a paper bag top and nubuck buckle closure added to a pair of regular boots.

Sigh. Found Here.